RUCKERSVILLE, VA - September 16, 2003 - Phillips Communications & Equipment Co., Inc. and the Islet Replacement Research Foundation today announced that Phillips Communications & Equipment has made a major donation to the Islet Replacement Research Foundation. "By donating to IRRF we hope to help all individuals who have Type 1 Diabetes," states Harold Phillips, president of Phillips. "The research at the University of Virginia that is being done to find a cure is of utmost importance and we are supportive of all of their efforts."

Phillips and his employees have a long-standing commitment to helping organizations in the community in which they live and conduct business. This commitment has been expressed in many ways over the past several years, including supporting the Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company and Greene County Rescue Squad as well as the Children's Miracle Network.

"We are extremely grateful for the support we are receiving from Phillips, which recognizes the importance of finding a cure for children's diabetes," said Paul Manning, President of IRRF.

Phillips Communications and Equipment, Co., Inc. is a leading provider of new, new surplus, and used telecommunications equipment. In business for 25 years, Phillips has provided communications equipment and technical support to companies locally, nationally, and worldwide.

The Islet Replacement Research Foundation is a voluntary nonprofit grant maker and supporter of diabetes research. Its goal is to fund dedicated scientists who support ambitious research projects to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. The Foundation raises funds through gifts from individual and corporate donors, special giving programs, events and grants. In 2002, the University of Virginia Health System established the Center for Cellular Transplantation and Therapeutics-the first islet cell isolation facility in the Commonwealth. The first islet cell transplant will take place in the near future. In the short-term, the University's goal is to provide a treatment for diabetic patients by replacing non-functional islet cells with healthy ones. Their long-term research is dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes.